The Complete Guide to Tile Types and Where to Use Them

Choosing the right type of tile can make or break a renovation project. Each tile has its own strengths, weaknesses, and ideal applications. Whether you’re redoing a backsplash, tiling a bathroom floor, or updating an entryway, understanding how each tile type performs will help you get professional results that last.

Let’s start by talking about the two types of tile that you are likely to see the most at your home improvement stores, ceramic and porcelain.

Ceramic Tile

Pros

– Affordable and widely available

– Easy to cut and install

– Comes in a wide range of colors, textures, and finishes

Cons

– Less dense than porcelain

– Can chip or crack under heavy impact

– Not recommended for outdoor use

Best Uses

– Kitchen backsplashes

– Bathroom walls

– Low-traffic residential floors

Ceramic tile is a favorite for DIYers because it’s lightweight, easy to work with, and budget friendly. It’s ideal for decorative walls or light-duty floors but isn’t built for heavy traffic. Some ceramic tile has a glazing that makes it suitable for moisture prone areas such as shower walls. Most of your standard subway tile is ceramic tile.

Most ceramic tile can be cut with a score and snap cutter, which is usually less intimidating to use for someone new to tile. Unlike porcelain tile, ceramic typically does not maintain its color throughout the tile, which can make chips or cracks more noticeable.

Porcelain Tile

Pros

– Extremely durable and dense

– Waterproof and frost-resistant

– Works well indoors and outdoors

Cons

– Harder to cut (generally requires a wet saw)

– Heavier and more expensive than ceramic

Best Uses

– High-traffic floors

– Shower walls and floors

– Outdoor patios and entryways

Porcelain tile is one of the toughest materials available, perfect for floors that take daily abuse. It’s also non-porous, making it a great choice for wet environments. It can be more difficult to cut and install for a DIYer, and while some porcelain tile can be cut with a quality manual snap cutter, a wet saw is usually needed. Most porcelain tile maintains its color throughout the tile which can make chips and cracks less noticeable.

Natural Stone Tile

Pros

– Unique, natural appearance

– Adds a high-end, timeless look

– Very durable with proper maintenance

Cons

– Requires sealing to prevent staining

– Can be slippery when polished

– Typically more expensive

Best Uses

– Bathroom floors and walls

– Fireplace surrounds

– Entryways and feature walls

Natural stone tiles such as marble, slate, travertine, and granite bring warmth and character to a space. Each piece is uniquely patterned by nature, so no two pieces are exactly alike. Most natural stones are porous and must be sealed to prevent moisture damage and staining. Natural stone tile will typically cost more than ceramic or porcelain. Cutting natural stone tile will require a wet saw.

Glass Tile

Pros

– Reflective and brightens small spaces

– Non-porous and stain-resistant

– Available in a wide range of colors

Cons

– Can scratch easily

– Requires careful cutting and installation

Best Uses

– Kitchen and bathroom backsplashes

– Shower niches and accent walls

Glass tile is perfect for adding a sleek, modern touch to your home. Its reflective surface makes rooms feel larger and brighter. Glass is non porous, making it a great option for wet areas such as kitchen and baths. Cutting glass tile can be more difficult for a DIYer. Glass can be fragile and prone to chipping and generally needs a specialized glass cutting blade for a wet saw to cut. To learn more, check out our article on installing glass tile.

Mosaic Tile

Pros

– Highly decorative and customizable

– Great for intricate designs and small areas

– Flexible for curved surfaces

Cons

– Many grout lines = more cleaning

– Slower to install than larger tiles

Best Uses

– Shower floors

– Kitchen backsplashes

– Accent borders and wall inlays

Mosaic tiles are perfect for when you want to add visual interest or texture. Many are sold in sheets, fastened by a mesh backing that makes installation easier than placing individual small tiles. Many sheets of Mosaic tiles are designed to interlock together to provide a seamless look. Mosaic tiles can be made of a variety of different materials and are commonly used as accents to showers or backsplashes. Because of their intricate patterns, mosaic tiles usually cost more per square foot than other tile.

Cement (Encaustic) Tile

Pros

– Handmade and unique designs

– Durable and long-lasting when sealed

– Eco-friendly material

Cons

– Porous; must be sealed properly

– Can stain if unsealed

– More costly than standard ceramic

Best Uses

– Feature floors

– Statement walls

– Vintage or patterned design projects

Cement tiles, also called encaustic tiles, have made a big comeback thanks to their bold patterns and artisanal character. Cement tiles must be sealed to prevent water damage or staining. Due to this, they are a lot more upkeep than other options, such as porcelain. If regular sealing is not done, there is a high risk of staining.

Other Considerations

Tile Size

As a DIYer, you may want to consider the differences in installing different sized tile. While some of the concepts of installing a 3×6 subway tile may be similar to installing a 12×24 tile, there are some key differences that you need to consider to be prepared for your project. A flat surface becomes more important the larger the tile you are using. While starting with a flat surface is an important first step no matter what, 3×6 subway tile will form to a bowed wall much better than a large format tile, such as a 12×24.

Thin-set

The type of tile you use and the location of your project will determine the type of thin-set that you need to use. Some projects can get by with using mastic in place of thin-set, which can be easier to use for DIYers as it is already pre-mixed. This is typically used in dry locations and when smaller tiles are used. There are very limited projects where it is considered okay to use mastic in place of thin-set so be sure to double check before purchasing for your project. We have a detailed article on mastic and where to use it and where not to use it.

Tile Cutters

Having the correct tools to cut your tile is important for a clean looking finish. Wet saws, Score and snap cutters, tile nippers, and angle grinders are some of the cutting tools you may use. Once you know which type of tile you are using for your project, you can determine if you have the right cutting tools or if you need to buy or rent some. If you are planning on just doing one small tile project, you can likely get by with a variety of cheaper tools. If you plan on doing multiple larger tile projects, investing in quality tools usually pays off.

Final Thoughts

The best tile for your project depends on your budget, maintenance preferences, and where it’ll be installed. If you’re working in a wet or high-traffic area, porcelain is usually the safest bet. For decorative accents or backsplashes, glass and ceramic shine. And if you’re aiming for a timeless, luxurious look, natural stone is hard to beat. Once you have decided on your tile and everything that comes along with it, just take your time and complete a project you can be proud of.